Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation Names Lisa Seegar 2021 MCSD Teacher of the Year
Monday, May 10th, 2021
The Covid pandemic impacted everything in our world, including the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation (MEEF) MCSD 2020 Teacher of the Year Gala program which would have been held in May, 2020. The normal event – with over 1,100 people in attendance – was postponed until this year, as the fifty-six Teacher of the Year Honorees were asked to serve another year as their school’s honoree. To ensure the safety of all our Honorees, the Gala program was a virtual program (seen on Facebook and websites) with a surprise LIVE visit to the home of the 2021 MCSD Teacher of the Year by the MEEF Board.
At the surprise visit, the Muscogee Educational Excellence Foundation named Lisa Seegar a fifth-grade science teacher at Britt David Magnet Academy as the 2021 MCSD Teacher of the Year.
The MEEF Selection Committee – composed of community leaders and past Teachers of the Year – still had the Top Three observations to finish when the pandemic made that impossible. In early April of 2021, the committee sent 4 of the selection committee members into the classrooms while the rest of the committee observed via Zoom – much like teachers are doing in concurrent classrooms.
The 56 TOTY honorees were also celebrated this afternoon (May 6th) in a “TOTY Drive-In Celebration” at the Columbus Public library where they were greeted by MEEF Board members and MCSD folks who cheered them on as they drove through (safely in their cars!) and presented them with their TOTY plaque, their honorarium, a program, and a charcuterie board that they could share later as they watched the virtual program from their homes.
About 20 MEEF Board members surprised Seegar at her home at the exact moment she was announced as the MCSD TOTY. MEEF Executive Director Marquette McKnight said it was technically complicated to ad a live portion to the virtual program but they wanted to have that moment for Seegar. “Teachers have had such an incredibly stressful and challenging time since March of 2020, where they have risen to the occasion and overcome obstacles every day, continuing to teach and care for our kids. We worked hard to have that very special moment of being named the MCSD TOTY to be ‘live,’ and to give Lisa the opportunity to feel the gratitude and appreciation of our entire community. This is truly a moment when people come together and say a huge ‘thank you!’ to ALL teachers for all they do.”
About Lisa Seegar:
From her eloquent application, to an articulate interview, and finally, the eclectic classroom observation where the kids were engaged and learning, Lisa Seegar from Britt David Magnet Academy WOWED the Selection Committee. A fifth-grade science teacher, Lisa has an amazing passion for being a teacher -- and a selfless love for the students she teaches. The judges said Lisa was selected because her zeal for learning in every capacity was always evident. “She has a genuine heart for children and her classroom transformation is just one groundbreaking element in what makes her teaching so very magical. The amazing rapport Lisa shows with her students is infectious - her classroom is a well-practiced routine of engaged learning for students by a great teacher,” said Selection Committee member Donovan Granville.
Lisa noted in her application, “When students are able to construct their knowledge, thoughtful learning takes place. Over the years I have learned that my role is not to be the dispenser of knowledge in my classroom... Google can do that. My role is far more profound. I have the opportunity to create learning experiences that bring science to life for my students. I have learned that as long as I make building relationships my highest priority, students will amaze me with their willingness to follow where I lead. With every fiber of my being, I want to be an educator that makes a difference in the lives of my students. I want them to remember Mrs. Seegar as a teacher who loves them unconditionally and provided them with valuable learning experiences that made them fall in love with learning. I want to be a meaningful part of their life story. Teachers have the opportunity to change lives. Does it get any more significant than that?”
“Each day, teachers fill classrooms all across America teaching curriculum, but more importantly teaching students that are in the process of writing their life's story. The amazing thing about the power of a teacher is that uplifting the students in our classrooms doesn't just benefit that single student. A teacher's influence can benefit students, family, friends and neighbors. A teacher's impact through one positive student relationship could reach hundreds or thousands. Education has the power to transform our society ... one student at a time.” A teacher that truly transforms the lives of students and helps them write their ‘life story’ in an exceptional way - Lisa Seegar is the MCSD 2021 Teacher of the Year.
Seegar was chosen from 56 Teacher of the Year (TOTY) Honorees representing each school in the Muscogee County School District. Each of the school Honorees are recognized and honored throughout their term in a variety of ways including an MCSD-sponsored breakfast with the MCSD TOTY and the national TOTY, sponsored by Columbus State University. Because the TOTYs served for two years – under extraordinary circumstances – MEEF sent gifts to the TOTY Honorees each month including; masks, computer camera covers, snack packs, donuts for each school, umbrellas and a check for $100 in December.
MEEF Chairman Scott Allen said, “MEEF is grateful for our donors and sponsors who enable MEEF to reward and recognize exceptional teachers by providing these monthly gifts for our Honorees and for the gift packages each Honoree received at the Drive-In Celebration. They’ve been very generous over this two-year period and we are grateful for the continued support of: Aflac: W. C. Bradley Company; TSYS; Representative Richard Smith; Kinetic; Janet Davis; Judy Thomas, Synovus; Columbus State University; Brasfield & Gorrie; Kerry and Donna Hand; Muscogee Retired Educators Association; Hughston Clinic; Virtucom; 2WR + Partners; Piedmont Columbus Regional; Aaron & Clements, Inc; Burger King;, Columbus Water Works; Hecht Burdeshaw Architects; Lexia Learning; OutFront Media; Judge Art Smith; Freeman & Associates; Centegix; and Spud Bowen & Associates.”
Every TOTY Honoree received a framed certificate of recognition, plus a $100 honorarium. The Top Ten honorees received a $500 honorarium. The Top Three received a $1000 honorarium and the MCSD Teacher of the Year is featured on an OutFront Media digital billboard, a full-page Ledger ad and receives a $5000 honorarium.
